What key is "I've Been Working On The Railroad" in?

"I've Been Working On The Railroad" by American Folk Song is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "I've Been Working On The Railroad" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "I've Been Working On The Railroad" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "I've Been Working On The Railroad" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

Lyrics

I’ve been work ing on the rail road, (Bb)all the live long (F)day.

I’ve been work ing on the rail road, just to (G7)pass the time a (C7)way.

Can’t you hear the whis tle (F)blow in’?

(Bb)Rise up so ear ly in the (A)morn.

(Bb)Can’t you (G7)hear the cap tain (Bbm)shout ing, (F)“Di nah, blow (C7)your (F)horn!”

Di nah, won’t you blow, (Bb)Di nah, won’t you (G)blow, (C)Di nah, won’t you (C7)blow your (F)horn?

(F)Di nah, won’t you blow, (Bb)Di nah, won’t you (G)blow, (C)Di nah, won’t you (C7)blow your (F)horn?

Some one’s in the kitch en with Di nah.

Some one’s in the kitch en I (C)know.

(F)Some one’s in the kitch en with (Bb)Di (Bdim7)nah, (C7)strum min’ on the old ban (F)jo and sing in’, “Fee, fi, fid dle ee i o, fee, fi, fid dle ee i (C)o.

(F)Fee, fi, (Bdim7)fid dle ee i o,” (C7)strum min’ on the old ban (F)jo.

I've Been Working On The Railroad by American Folk Song

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “I've Been Working On The Railroad”

What key is "I've Been Working On The Railroad" in?: "I've Been Working On The Railroad" by American Folk Song is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "I've Been Working On The Railroad" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "I've Been Working On The Railroad" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "I've Been Working On The Railroad" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.